Hi Everyone, Its been a while since I've written so I kind of have the bug. So much has happened since last year, but right now we are diving right into Football season. As most of you know Nolan is a senior this year, so I wanting to do something for him. Something simple that he'll be able to look back on in 20 years and relive this football season. I decided to journal about the games and season this fall. I told Stacy about it, and she thought it was a great idea. I was going to just do it for him, but she insisted that some of you may also enjoy hearing about it as well... So here goes.
Football Friday Night 2017 - A senior parents perspective.
8-25-17
As I sit
at my computer this morning, I recall that I nearly didn’t sleep last
night. This is the start of Football
Friday Night, 2017 Edition. We’ve been here before and each time it’s been
exciting, but this time it’s different. Nolan and his classmates most of whom I
have coached over years are seniors.
We’re beyond excited that its football season, but truly heartbroken
that it’s the last one….
The
first day of “two-a-days” I wrote Nolan a letter about what this season will
mean to him 20 years down the road. I
gave him some life advice about not taking it for granted, living in the
moment, being a good upperclassman, buying into his coaches game plan, and most
of all making 100% sure that when it’s over he has no regrets. I got a simple “thanks Dad” text message in
response to my letter, but I think it got through to him. (I sure hope it
did).
So here
we are, just hours away from start of his final season. I wouldn’t be surprised if Stacy and I have
more butterflies that he does, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t fighting
back weepy eyes as I write this. I’ll be
wearing my sunglasses at kick off even though our stands face the east, you can
figure out why… Then each week I’ll be journaling
about our perspective from the stands, the good guys in black, and Nolan's journey specifically. Bear in mind if you’re reading
this, I’m no sports writer. There are
many stars in these games that will play as big or bigger roles than Nolan.
He’s not a Quarterback, Running back, or wide receiver. He probably won’t see
the end zone this year (unless he convinces the coach to actually run that
“tackle eligible” play he’s always talking about). He’s a guy in the trenches, a real guts and grit guy, that is always doing his
part. I recognize fully that Football
above most is the true team sport, and if this were a newspaper they would be
telling you all about the TD’s, and interceptions. But I’m just a dad wanting to make an account
for my son to have when football is a faded memory to him. So if I talk a lot about the O line and D
line, and not so much about touch downs you’ll understand why. You can always read the sports page for that…
Let’s get it on –TNP (Take No Prisoners)
Marysville – 8-28-17
The
weather was nice, a high in the low 70’s.
That benefited us since we have a handful of kids playing both ways.
(Nolan is one of them Left tackle & D end)
Mville was blessed to have a D1 recruit in the backfield named Thomas
Rush (He’s heading to play ball at Minnesota on a full ride) While we didn’t
shut him down completely, we did keep him in check and made him earn his
yards. Our boys played hard in the back
and forth battle, but found themselves down late in the 4th
quarter. 29-21 with just over 3 minutes
left on the clock. (Mville in possession of the ball) Just as I was starting to
break my rule about never feeling hopeless, the good guys forced a punt and
found themselves on the 35 yard line with just under 2 minutes left on the
clock and no time outs. They marched
downfield, and scored with 11 seconds left on the clock. Our QB, behind great pass protection tossed
in the 2 pt conversion to force the game into overtime. After each team had their shot with the OT
possession, Alder finished on top with a final score of 35-32. This was one of the most exciting high school
games I’ve witnessed, and a hell of a way to start a senior year.
Nolan
may have only missed a couple snaps if any in this game. Interesting enough as the other team started
to wear down late in the game, he seemed to get stronger. Hearing his name
called over the speaker several times during the contest, but more often late
in the 3rd and 4th quarters. As other guys were falling
to the ground with cramps, he never did. I guess those 10:00PM runs he was
taking before bed during two-A-days paid off. His assignment at Defensive end
this week was taking on the full back and driving him into the pulling weak side
line men so as to keep them off of our line backers. This was a very physical game, and he
executed his job well. Somehow he still managed to make quite a few tackles as
well. I Got to say, I couldn’t be more proud of this kid, and this team. What a great start to a senior year.
Alder 35- Marysville 32
Alder 35- Marysville 32
The offense taking Reps before the game
Nolan (52) and his best Friend and Fellow Offensive & Defensive lineman, Sully (51)
These guys play with heart
The O-Line
These are the guys in the trenches. They only get their name called when they do something wrong, but the real football people know, this is where games are won and lost.
Just after the Over time touch down victory, the team poured over the fence and into the student section, you can see Nolan (52) in the top left corner of the picture.
These guys play with heart
These are the guys in the trenches. They only get their name called when they do something wrong, but the real football people know, this is where games are won and lost.
